Quaint afternoon tea at Cafe Ha:)poom

Park Sihoo-ssi loves discovering quaint places

On weekends, sometimes I like to find a quaint place for a leisurely afternoon tea. A place where I can sit back, relax, watch the world go by, even if slowly, and get inspiration for some good writing.

However, living in a bustling city where tourists descend in droves especially over the weekend, and where space is a luxury, it is rather difficult to find such places! Of course, if I bothered to travel out into the suburbs, I am sure I might be able to find quaint places to enjoy afternoon tea.

Visiting Cafe Hapoom (written as Ha:)poom) in Park Sihoo-ssi’s hometown Buyeo when I was in Seoul for his birthday event in April 2018, I delighted in the discovery of this quaint cafe. It is another one of his favourite haunts whenever he visits his country home. So ideal it was for a short sojourn to have a cuppa afternoon tea! It is next door to the cold buckwheat noodle and steam pork restaurant we had our late lunch.

Park Sihoo-ssi’s late night rendezvous

In its own compound, the layout of the cafe resembled a Korean styled hanok house. It has a large garden in the middle, surrounded on all sides by buildings with large rooms that have been set for cafe seating. Artistically decorated with drawings, photos and traditional and old style Korean peripherals, the rooms are spacious, giving a most homely feel. Very comfortable and relaxing. If not for the fact that it was getting late and we had to head back to Seoul, I would have loved to linger at a leisurely pace in this tranquil enclave.

The exterior of Cafe Ha:)poom

Great for a cuppa afternoon tea

The owner manning the refreshment counter was most friendly and spoke a little English. Our beverage of choice was obviously Park Sihoo-ssi’s choice too! Citron tea! Not one who takes to sweet drinks, I still indulged because he did but I had to down mine with lots of water! 

Us ladies we had a most enjoyable time chatting in the courtyard garden, even though half the time, it was chicken and duck talk between the Korean and English speakers and online translator certainly came in useful! But we knew exactly the flow of the conversation because there is one unifying language! Park Sihoo-ssi!

Great ambience, this quaint Cafe Ha:)poom. A most enjoyable afternoon tea, in a cosy setting, among good friends and great company! We should do this again, ladies!

Cafe Ha:)poom welcoming us ladies!

In a quaint cafe, for a good afternoon tea and in great company!

Cafe Ha:)poom的精致下午茶

在周末，有时侯我喜欢找一个精致悠闲的地方享用下午茶。这样有个可以放松的地方坐下来，歇歇脚，慢慢地观看着世界走过，为写作获得一点灵感。

然而，生活在一个熙熙攘攘的城市里，尤其是周末游客纷纷到来，而空间又是奢侈品，找到这样的地方相当困难！当然，如果我愿意去到郊区，相信可以找到古朴的地方享受杯下午茶。

2018年4月当我去首尔参加施厚君的生日会活动时，在他的家乡扶余找到了一家他常去的咖啡厅Cafe Hapoom（写成Ha:)poom）。很高兴发现了这家古色古香的咖啡馆。这是他每次回老家时都喜欢光顾的另一个地方。非常适合短暂逗留喝下午茶！这咖啡厅就在冷荞麦面和蒸猪肉餐厅的隔壁，我们刚吃午餐的地方。

Walking into the cafe

Beverage counter just ahead

Into the garden courtyard

Hanok architecture

咖啡厅有自己的大院子，布局类似韩屋。房子中间有一个大花园，周围四周被建筑物所包围，房间设置为咖啡厅座位。图画，照片和传统和旧式的韩国周边，有艺术性的装饰了宽敞的房子的空间，给人一种最亲切的感觉。非常舒适和放松。如果不是因为天色已晚，不得返回首尔，我会喜欢逗留在这个宁静悠闲的地方。

在看管茶点柜台的店主非常友善，回说几句英语。我们选择的饮料显然也是施厚君的选择！柚子茶！不喜欢喝甜饮料的我，仍然尝试了这茶，就因为某人喜欢，但我用大量的水来淹没了甜味！

Serene courtyard for good afternoon tea

Spacious cafe seating

Private outdoor enclave for small groups

Another room distinctively decorated

我们姐妹们在庭院花园里一起聊，度过了一段最愉快的时光，尽管有一半的时间，韩语和英语就如鸡同鸭谈和积极的用上网络翻译！但是我们完全明白对方所说的，因为有统一的语言！ 施厚君！

很棒的氛围，这个古色古香的咖啡厅Cafe Ha:)poom。我们享用了愉快的下午茶，在舒适的环境中，在好朋友的陪伴下！姐妹们，我们应该再聚一聚喝喝茶！

How to get there

Cafe Ha:)poom

Address of Cafe Ha:)poom

Photo Credits – Many thanks! Park Sihoo Instagram, ParkSihooSsi.com